India commissions BrahMos missiles production unit amid ceasefire
India has inaugurated a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile production unit in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, according to Defense Ministry officials.
The facility, inaugurated by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, will manufacture one of the world's fastest supersonic cruise missiles, with a range of 290-400km and speeds up to Mach 2.8, officials from the ministry added.
BrahMos Aerospace is a joint Indo-Russian venture launched in 2005. It was named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers. India's Defense Research and Development Organization has a 50.5% stake in the company, while Russian NPO Mashinostroyenia holds 49.5%.
In addition to the manufacturing unit, the BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility has also been launched. This facility will be crucial for the testing and assembly of missiles, the Defense Ministry officials added.
The event also saw the laying of the foundation stone for the Defence Testing Infrastructure System (DTIS), which will be developed at the unit, to test and certify defense products.
Built at a cost of $35 million, the BrahMos production unit in Lucknow was completed in three-and-a-half years, according to officials. In March, India's Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) had approved the procurement of 250 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, according to India Today TV, citing unnamed sources.
The BrahMos missile has become a crucial part of the Indian military's arsenal. It is designed for high-precision, long-range strikes against ground targets and can engage threats on land, sea, and underwater platforms.
Initially, the missile had a range of 290 kilometers (180 miles), but continuous upgrades have increased its range and enhanced its strategic capabilities.
The developments come after Russia and India signed a new defense pact in February this year. The new agreement streamlines logistics and enhances cooperation between the armed forces of the two nations, facilitating joint military operations and activities, ministry officials said.
Currently, around 60% of the Indian military's equipment is of Russian origin. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative, the country is also working towards indigenization of its defense sector and has achieved success in some areas with support from private players.
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